(Addis Ababa) – US Secretary of State John Kerry met Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and pressed him to make concrete progress on economic reforms and rights, warning continued US and global aid was at stake. Kerry told Morsi that, “we need to be able to show Congress that you’ve taken the necessary reforms. I have been a strong advocate of support for Egypt. I continue to support aid for Egypt, but we need to see reforms in place that will encourage my former colleagues back at home to act”.
Last year the IMF reached a deal in principle to provide a $4.8 billion loan to help finance the Egyptian government while it undertakes reforms. But they have been in talks for months over the loan that is contingent on strong support from Egyptian politicians and a commitment to key reforms.
In March, Kerry unveiled the first $190 million in promised aid to Cairo during his first trip to the country as secretary of state, saying the rest of a $250 million pledge would follow once the necessary reforms were in place.
